Clock with visible and audible alarm means



July 6, 1.9425. A, J. PARHSS! 294449748 CLOCK WITH VISIBLE AND AUDIBLEALARM MEANS Filed Aug. 28, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l JTTOANEY Juiy 6, 19480A. .11. PARlssa CLOCK WITH VISIBLE AND AUDIBLE ALARM MEANS Filed Aug.2a, 1945 2 Sheets-Smo 2 d m5 2 NW WF 4 m1) Patented July 6, 1948 PATENTOFFICE REISSUED CLOCK WITH VISIBLE AND AUDIBLE ALARM MEANS AUG 22 193pAnthony J. Parissi, Cohoes, N. Y.

Application August 28, 1945, Serial No. siaoro 20 Claims. (Cl. 58-19) Myinvention relates to alarm clocks and particularly but not exclusivelyto improvements in electric alarm clocks.

Ordinary alarm clocks are equipped with bells or buzzers which emitaudible signals. Such clocks are of no value whatever to a person who isdeaf and in many instances fail to awaken persons of normal hearingunless the alarm is very loud. In any event, the sudden awakening of asleeper by a loud noise, such as the clamorous ringing of a bell,produces a distinct shock on the nervous system and, where other personsare sleeping in proximity to the alarm, they also are awakened.

The principal object of my invention is to provide an alarm clock which,instead of giving an audible signal, will give a visible signal whichmany experiments have determined will invariably awaken a normal sleeperwithin an interval from 1 to 3 minutes. Another object is to provide adevice of this character which, in the event of a failure of the visiblesignalling mechanism to function, will also give an audible signal. Afurther object is to provide a simple device of this character which maybe incorporated in any alarm clock but which is preferably associatedwith an electric .clock.

With these objects in view my invention includes the novel elements andthe combinations and arrangements thereof described below andillustrated in the accompanyin drawing in which- Fig.1 is a frontelevation view of an electric clock embodying my invention;

Fig. '2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a portion of the sidevand rear of an electric ton I (see Fig. 2) which is understood toproject through the back of the clock in the usual way. The clock motoris a synchronous motor and preferably of the self starting type so that,in the event of a power interruption, the clock will start as soon asthe power comes on.' A small circular opening 8 is provided in the faceof the clock, and pivotally mounted behind this is a red disc 9 whichbecomes visible onl upon an interruption of the power to indicate thatthe clock has been stopped'and that the time indicated thereby is notthe correct time. Mounted on top of the clock is the visible signallingdevice It), here shown as an ordinary incandescent lamp bulb which ismounted in the socket ll having the usual switch l2 for turning thelight on or off so that it-may be used as a reading lamp if desired.However, it is to be understood that the lamp may be placed anywhere andthat the switch I2 need not be associated with the lamp socket. In fact,if the lamp is to be used solely as a signal or alarm, the switch l2 maybe omitted.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, I3 represents generally the clock motorwhich comprises the coil i l, the pole pieces l5 and i6 and an armatureI enclosed in the casing ll. One of the pole pieces clock mechanism andillustrating the controls 7 produce a flashing thereof,

Referring to the drawing- I is the case of an electric clock having asweep second hand 2, a minute hand 3 and an hour hand t. The hour hand 4carries a pointer 5 which indicates on the graduated disc 6 the time forwhich the alarm is set; it being understood that this disc may be turnedindependently of the clock hands by means of the alarm setting buti6 hasan extension IB which alternately attracts and releases the armature 19of a vibrating ele ment 20 to produce'a buzzing sound, When the clock isin operation with the power on, a constant vibration of the element 20would take place unless it were mechanically restrained and hence means,which will hereinafter be described, is provided, whereby vibration ofthe element 20 is prevented at all times when the alarm control is inthe ofi position.

2i is the alarm gear which is driven by the clock motor and is to beunderstood as making one turn in 12 hours. Mounted upon the alarm gearshaft 22 is a cam 23 having a notch 24 therein (see Fig. 3). The cam 23normally engages the extension 25 of the armature portion IQ of thevibrating element 20 and prevents it from vibratil'lg until it isreleased by the dropping of the extension 25 on the armature l9 into thenotch Ed in the cam.

The button 26 which projects from the back of th clock is the off and oncontrol for the alarm. Thus, in the position of the button 26 shown inFigs. 2 and 3 the alarm will be sounded when the proper time isindicated by the clmk. In other words, the button 26 is shown in alarmonposition. The button 26 is connected to the lever 21 which is slidablymounted in the clock frame members 28 and 29 and carries a cam 30 URE23261 which is adapted to pass under and engage the end of thearmature l3 when the button 28 is pushed inwardly, or to the left asshown in Fig. 3, and thus to maintain the armature [3 in nonvibratingposition The flat spring member 3| which is secured to the frame member25, as shown at 32, is provided with a spherical depressiori 33 thereinwhich is designed to cooperate with the opening 34 in the lever 21 toform a stop motion for the lever when it is pressed inwardly.

So far, the clock mechanism which I have described is a standardmechanism forming part of almost all lectric alarm clocks as nowmanufacmred. To this mechanism I propose to add my sible alarm signaland so to incorporate it with the audible alarm signal given by theelement that my visible signal will first be given and then, after anypredetermined interval to be fixed by the manufacturer of the clock,will be followed by the audible signal. To do this I fix a second cam 35having a notch 35- therein to the shaft 22 of the e larm gear 2i asshown in Figs. 2 and 3. Coopcrating with the cam 35 is a pawl 36 which,as illustrated, is part of the bell crank 31 which is mounted to rotatefreely on the shaft 38. The other arm 39 of the bell crank is providedwith a threaded passage 40 adapted to receive the adjusting screw 41. 42is an electric switch of the single pole, double-throw type having theterminals43, 44 and 45. The switch is adapted to be actuated by the pushbutton 45 which is spring biased by means of the compression sprin shownschematically in Fig. 4, to maintain the terminal 43 normally inelectrical contact with terminal :15. However, when the button 45 esseda ainst the compression of spring 4? by cans of the cooperation of theadjusting screw ll therewith, the terminal 43 is held in elec tricalcontact with the terminal 44.

Referring now to Fig. 4, 48 and 49 are main power lines to which theclock l3 may be connected by a plug and socket in the usual manner.Bearing in mind that the terminal 43 is normally held in contact withthe terminal 44 by means of the coaction of the pawl bell crank with thebutton 46, the light 10 may be turned on or off by means of the switch I2. Thus it may be used as a reading lamp.

In operation, the cam 35, instead of the cam 23, is so correlated withthe alarm setting disc 5 that if, for example, the 10th hour graduationon the disc is set to coincide with the pointer 5 on the hour hand, thepawl 36 will fall into the notch 35 when the hands on the face of theclock indicate 10 oclock. It is to be understood that the spring whichnormally forces the button 46 downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 3, normallyholds the pawl in frictional contact with the cylindrical surface of thecam 35 and the pressure with which the pawl 35 is held in contact withthe cam surface may be adjusted by means of the adjusting screw 4|.Thus, when the cam 35 has rotated to a point where the pawl 38 can moveinto the notch 35' it will be forced into this notch by the release ofcompression on the spring in switch 42 which forces the button 46downwardly.

Now, referring more particularly to Fig. 4, when the pawl 36 enters thenotch in the cam 35, the bell crank will allow the button 46 to move tothe right, as viewed in Fig, 4, thus breaking the contact betweenterminals 43 and 44 and establishing contact between the terminal 43 andthe terminal 45. If the lamp I0 were lighted at this time it would bemomentarily extinguished by the breaking of its normal lighting circuit.However, the terminal 45 is simultaneously electrically connected to theterminal 50 of the lamp through the thermostatic element 5| which maybe, and preferably is, a so called flasher button which will begin, inellect, alternately to make and break the electrical circuit in which itis installed within a few seconds thereafter. Thus, the lamp I0 isalternately lighted and extinguished. If, at the time the alarm goesoil, the lamp is not lighted it will begin to flash within a few secondsafter terminals 43 and 45 are brought into contact.

In Fig. 5 I have shown in a diagrammatic manner how the thermostaticelement 5| operates. 55 and 56 are the terminals of the device. Theterminal 55 is electrically connected to a fixed contact point 51 and isalso connected toterminal 56 through the high resistance coil 58 which iwound about the bimetallic element 39 carrying the contact point 60adapted to cooperate with contact 51. When the points are separatedcurrent flowing through the resistance heating coil 58 heats thebimetallic element 59 causing it to flex o1- warp and bring contacts 51and 50 together. When this occurs, terminals 55 and 58 are directlyconnected through a resistance of negligible magnitude, the highresistance coil 58 is shunted, and the bimetallic element 59 cools andassumes its original form, thus separating contacts 57 and 53. Currentthen flows only through the heating coil 58 and the cycle is repeated.It will be apparent that the circuit through lamp and the thermostaticswitch is never completely opened by the action of said switch because,when this circuit is otherwise closed by switch 42, current will alwaysflow through the resistance heating coil 58, However, the practicaleffect of the operation of the thermostatic switch, as evidenced by theflashing of lamp in, is the same as though the lamp circuit werealternately closed and opened, and I have referred throughout thespecification and claims to the thermostatic switch as a circuit makingand breaking means, The thermostatic switch does actually make and breakthe circuit which lights the lamp although another circuit of very highresistance is immediately established through the lamp filament when thelighting circuit is broken.

Many tests have indicated that the flashing of the light I0 will awakenthe average sleeper within an interval of three minutes or less.However, in the event that the lamp has burned out or has been removedfrom the socket, the cam 23 which turns continuously in the direction ofthe arrow 52 will shortly release the audible alarm 20 which willcontinue to function until the extension 25 passes out of the notch 24in cam 23. Obviously, the notches in the cams 23 and 35 may be disposedat any desired time interval apart so that the light signal may continuefor any desired interval before the audible signal is released,

Unless some means were provided for preventing-the cam 36 from droppinginto the notch 35' in cam 35 when the alarm control-is in the 01!-position, the dashing signal would be given every 12 hours; the timedepending upon the setting of the alarm. To prevent this I provide thebell crank 31 with an arm 53 which cooperates with a cam 54 on the alarmcontrol lever 21 when said arm is pushed inwardly. Thus, when the button25 is pushed in, the cam @30 holds the vibratin armature I9 ininoperative position and the cam 5| cooperating with the arm 53 holdsthe pawl 36 in inoperative position.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided, by a rathersimple modification of the ordinary electric alarm clock, an alarm clockgiving both a visible and an audible signal and while, as illustrated,the invention is shown as incorporated in an electrical clock, it may beincorporated in any alarm clock.

In addition to its utility as an ordinary alarm clock the device may beused as a desk or reading lamp, and when so used. it may be set to givea flashing signal at any desired time. It makes no difference whetherthe lamp I0 is lighted or out at the time the signal is given because,the light control switch it is automatically shunted and a new circuitestablished through the lamp.

The device, whether it be used as an alarm for awakening a sleeper, anappointment signal, or

otherwise should proove a boon to persons who are nervous and detestnoise of any kind.

While I have described my invention in its preferred embodiment it is tobe understood that the words which I have used are words of descriptionrather than of limitation and that changes within the purview of theappended claims may be made without departing from the true scope andspirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. An alarm clock having an electric light mounted thereon, a switch foroperating said light, circuit forming means adapted to connect saidlight through said switch to a source of pow er to form a normallighting circuit, a shunt circult in said clock around said switch andinclud- 'ing said light and a thermostatic element adapted automaticallyto make and break said shunt circuit to produce a flashing of saidlight, and clock controlled means for breaking said normal lightingcircuit and establishing said shunt circuit as a lighting circuit.

2. An alarm clock combination comprising a clock, releasable means forgiving an audible alarm, an electric alarm circuit including a switch, apair of automatic release mechanisms, both operated by said clock, onefor releasing said audible alarm giving means and the other for closingsaid switch, common means for adjusting said release mechanisms for thepurpose of determining the time when the audible alarm will sound andthe time the switch will be closed automatically, means for at willpreventing the sounding of the audible alarm when it would otherwisesound, and means for at will preventing the closing of'the switch whenit would otherwise close in response to automatic clock operation.

3. An alarm clock combination comprising a clock, releasable means forgiving an audible alarm, an electric alarm circuit including a switch,two separate automatic release mechanisms, both operated by said clock,one for normally holding said releasable alarm iving means inoperativeand releasing it at a predetermined time and the other for closing saidswitch, common means for adjusting said release mechanisms to determinedthe times when they will perform their automatic operations, manuallyoperable means for atwill preventing the automatic sounding of theaudible alarm when it would otherwise sound and to stop its operationwhen sounding, and manually operable means for at will preventing theautomatic closing of said switch when it would otherwise close and toopen the switch when closed.

4. In an alarm clock, the combination with a clock mechanism, of anelectric lamp, an electric circuit including said lamp, means forconnecting said circuit to a source of power, means for automaticallymaking and breaking said lamp circuit to effect a flashing of said lamp,clock actuated means for producing an audible alarm, and clockcontrolled mechanism for actuating said lamp circuit connecting meansand putting said circuit making and breaking means and said audiblealarm producing means into operation in sequence, in the order lastnamed with an interval of substantial duration positively timed by theoperation of said clock mechanism therebetween; whereby, in the eventsaid lamp is defective said audible alarm will function in lieu thereofafter the expiration of said interval.

5. In an alarm clock, the combination with a clock mechanism, of anelectric lamp, an electric circuit including said lamp, means forconnecting said circuit to a source of power, means for auto- -matlcallymaking and breaking said lamp circuit to effect a flashing of said lamp,clock actuated means for producing an audible alarm, releasable meansfor actuating said lamp circuit con necting means and putting saidcircuit making and breaking means into operation, releasable means forputting said audible alarm producing means into operation, clockactuated means for first releasing said means for actuating said lampcircuit connecting means and putting said circuit making and breakingmeans into operation and, after the expiration of an interval ofsubstantial duration positively timed by the operation of said clockmechanism, releasing said means for putting said alarm producing meansinto operation.

8. An electric alarm clock comprising clock mechanism, a vibratingelement adapted to produce an audible alarm, an electric light, anelectrical circuit including said light, means for connecting said clockmechanism and said circuit to a source of power, means for automaticallymaking and breaking the circuit through said light to produce a flashingthereof, clock controlled means for putting said circuit making andbreaking means into operation at a predetermined time and said vibratingelement into operation following the lapsethereafter of an intervalpositively timed by the operation of said clock mechanism, and a singlemanually actuated means for stopping the operation of said vibratingelement and said circuit breaking means.

1 An electric alarm clock comprising a clock mechanism, a vibratingelement adapted to produce an audible alarm, an electric light, a firstelectrical circuit including said light and a switch for turning saidlight on and off, means for connecting said clock mechanism and saidcircuit to a source of power, a second circuit icy-passing said switchbut including said light and means for automatically making and breakingsaid second circuit, means controlled by said clock mechanism forbreaking said first circuit and connecting said second circuit to asource of power at a predetermined time, and clock controlled means forputting said vibrating element into operation following the lapse of aninterval positively timed by the operation of said clock mechanism afterthe breaking of said first circuit.

8. In an alarm clock, the combination with a casing, of a clockmechanism in said casing, electric circuit forming means including asocket adapted to connect an electric lamp in said circut and means forautomatically making and breaking said circuit, a switch controlled bysaid mechanism for connecting said circuit forming means to a source oi.power, means controlled by said mechanism for giving an audible alarmafter the expiration of an interval positively timed by the operation ofsaid clock mechanism following the actuation of said switch, and meansfor setting said mechanism to actuate said switch at a predeterminedtime.

9. In an alarm clock, the combination with an electric lamp, of a firstelectric circuitincluding cuit, and also a thermostatic switch forautomatically making and breaking said circuit, a switch controlled bysaid clock mechanism for connect! g said circuit forming means to asource of power, and means for setting said clock mechanism to actuatesaid clock controlled switch at a predetermined time.

11. In an alarm clock, the combination with an electric clock mechanism,of releasable means, automatically operable when said mechanism isconnected to a source of power, for giving a signal, a switch havingterminals electrically connected to said source of power when saidswitch is closed and said clock mechanism is connected to said source ofpower, a first means controlled by said clock mechanism for closing saidswitch, a second means controlled by said clock mechanism for normallyholding said releasable signal giving means inoperative but adapted torelease said signal giving means at a predetermined time; the operationof said two clock controlled means being separated by an interval ofpredetermined duration positively timed by the operation of said clockmechanism; and means for setting said clock controlled means to operateat predetermined times; whereby, a second, electrically controlled,signal giving means may be connected to the terminals of said switch andcontrolled thereby in positively timed relation to the operation of saidreleasable signal giving means.

12. The structure set forth in claim 11 together with manually actuatedmeans for holding said releasable signal giving means inoperative whenit would otherwise be released by said second clock controlled means.

13. An electric alarm clock comprising a clock mechanism, a vibratingelement adapted to sound an audible alarm and automatically operablewhen said clock mechanism is in operation, an electric light, anelectric circuit including said light and a releasable switch forclosing said circuit to light said light when said clock mechanism is inoperation, means driven by said clock mechanism and normally cooperatingwith said vibrating element to prevent vibration thereof but adapted torelease said element at a predetermined time to sound said audiblealarm, means, including means driven by said clock mechanism, normallymaintaining said switch open but adapted to release said switch to closesaid circuit; said switch releasing means and said vibratin elementreleasing means operating in sequence with an interval of predeterminedduration positively timed by said clock mechanism therebetween; andmanually operable means for setting said releasing means to operate atpredetermined times.

14. In an alarm clock, the combination with a casing, of an electricclock mechanism therein, means adapted to connect said mechanism to asource of power, a vibrating element normally operable when said clockmechanism is so connected to sound an audible signal, a normally openswitch in said casing having terminals which are connected to saidsource of power when said mechanism is so connected and said switch isclosed, means controlled by said clock mechanism for closing saidswitch, means controlled by said clock mechanism for normally holdingsaid vibrating element inoperative and releasing the same upon theexpiration of a predetermined interval of substantial durationpositively timed by the operation of said clock mechanism following theclosing of said switch, and means for setting said clock controlled,switch closing means to operate at a predetermined time; whereby, asecond, electrically operated, signal giving means may be connected tothe terminals of said switch and set to operate at a predetermined timeprior to the operation of said audible, signal sounding means.

15. An alarm clock, comprising the combination with a casing, 01' anelectric clock mechanism therein, means adapted to connect saidmechanism to a source of power, a vibrating element normally operablewhen said clock mechanism is so connected to sound an audible signal, afirst, electric circuit forming means including a socket adapted toconnect an electrically operated signal giving means exterior of saidcasing in said circuit and a manually operable switch on said casing forconnecting said socket to and disconnecting it from said source of powerwhen said clock mechanism is connected to said source of power, asecond, electric circuit forming means including said socket and asecond switch for connecting said socket to said source of power, meanscontrolled by said clock mechanism for effecting a closing of saidsecond switch, means controlled by said clock mechanism for holding saidvibrating element inoperative and releasing it upon the expiration of aninterval positively timed by the operation of said clock mechanismfollowing the closing oi said second switch. and means for setting saidclock controlled means for closing said second switch to operate at apredetermined time.

16. An alarm clock comprising the combination with a casing, of anelectric clock mechanism therein, means adapted to connect saidmechanism to a source of power, a vibrating element normally operablewhen said clock mechanism is so connected to sound an audible signal, afirst, electric circuit forming means including a socket adapted toconnect an electric light exterior of said casing in said circuit, and amanually operable switch on said casing for normally controlling theoperation of said light by connecting said socket to and disconnectingit from said source or power when said clock mechanism is connected tosaid source of power; a second electric circuit forming means includingsaid socket. a second switch for connecting said socket to said sourceof power, and a thermostatic element adapted automatically to make andbreak said second circuit when said second switch is closed; meanscontrolled by said clock mechanism for closing said second switch, meanscontrolled by said clock mechanism for holding said vibrating elementinoperative and releasing it upon the expiration of an intervalpositively timed by the operation of said clock mechanism following theclosing of said second switch, and means for setting said clockcontrolled means for closing said second switch to operate at apredetermined time.

17. In an alarm clock, the combination with a casing, of a clockmechanism therein, a socket on said casing adapted to have an electriclight electrically connected thereto, a first, circuitforming means,including a manually-actuated switch for connecting said socket in saidcircuit and disconnecting it therefrom, means for electricallyconnecting said first circuit to a source of power; means forming asecond circuit including said socket, means for automatically making andbreaking said second circuit, when energized, and a second switch forconnecting said second circuit to said source of power independently ofthe position of said manually actuated switch; means controlled by saidclock mechanism for actuating said second switch, and means for settingsaid clock-mechanism-controlled means to actuate said second switch at apredetermined time.

18. An alarm clock combination comprising a clock, an audible alarm, anelectric alarm circuit including a switch, two separate automaticrelease means operated by said clock; one cooperating directly with saidaudible alarm and normally holding it inoperative but adapted to releasesaid audible alarm to permit it to sound, and the other for closing saidswitch; and means for adjusting the time of day at which said automaticoperations will-be performed.

19. An alarm clock combination comprising a clock, a casing therefor, apair of rotary diskshaped cams fixedly mounted on a common shaft in saidcasing and driven by said clock at'the rate of one turn in twelve hours,a pair of cam followers bearing against said cams, means operated bysaid cam followers for controlling the automatic operations of separatealarms, and

shaft cooperating with said audible alarm giving means and normallymaintaining said audible alarm inoperative; said cams being providedwith means adapted to cooperate with said audible alarm giving means andsaid visible alarm controlling means, respectively, at predeterminedtimes to put said visible alarm first into operation and, after theexpiration of a predetermined interval of substantial durationpositively timed by the operation of said clock mechanism, to releasesaid audible alarm for operation.

ANTHONY J. PARISSI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the tile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,542,275 Rodrigues June 18, 19251,651,408 Peacock Dec. 6, 1927 1,672,791 Thimblethorpe June 5, 19281,801,129 Warren Apr. 14, 1931 1,943,598 Gourley Jan. 16, 1934 2,026,070Sholden Dec. 31, 1935 2,238,756 Steeneck Apr. 15, 1941 2,421,986 BohmanJune 10, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 8,258 Netherlands Feb.15, 1928

